Getting your little ones (or not so little ones) to help out around the house can often become a struggle. But children should learn that helping is part of being a member of a family, or any group for that matter.
Just like they are expected to help in the classroom so too should they help at home. It allows for them to contribute to both the household and the running of the family. Of course the idea is to start small, make it fun and have age appropriate expectations. Whether or not you decide to attach an allowance to the chores is completely a personal choice. Some families feel as though helping around the house is something every family member should do without the expectation of compensation while other families feel as though chores should be like jobs with pay as an incentive to get the job done. You just have to find what works best for your family.
A child as young as two or three can make a game of matching socks out of the laundry basket, maybe even sort them according to whom they belong. They can also find it fun to help tidy shoes, pick up toys and keep their own beds tidy. By the age of 7 or 8 they can be helping with the vacuuming, putting away their own laundry, clearing the table after a meal and dusting around the house. Older children can help with dishes, cleaning of the bathroom, doing the laundry or really any other chore that needs to be done. During the winter, shoveling the snow and clearing the cars can be fun as well as a great form of exercise and family bonding. During the spring, summer, and fall months it is great to get the kids outside and have them assist you with the weeding, planting and collection of leaves. Remember, children learn by example, so this is not the right time to sit back and relax while watching them work; get involved.
The idea is to not make it seem like work by turning anything into a game and by enjoying it with your children. By having your children help out, regardless of their age, it provides a feeling of accomplishment and contribution. Praise their hard work and appreciate all they do and this will encourage them to continue helping. Have a routine and let children know ahead what needs to be done and when ( a chart or calendar can help with this). If you feel as though you are doing more nagging then praising maybe it is time to re-evaluate your expectations and discuss this with your children.
